Impact of research and development (R&D) and technology investments on women's unemployment: Panel data analysis for G7 countries

The effects of technology on organizational structures and its importance in labor market dynamics have been discussed in many studies. These studies reveal the complex nature of the effects of technological investments in organizations on the female labor force. This study aims to examine the effects of technological progress on the female labor force from the perspective of the contingency approach. The study aims to examine the causal relationship between R&D investments and Information Technology Innovations and female unemployment in G7 countries at the macro level with a gender focus. The data on technology investments and unemployment indicators of G7 countries between 1985-2020 are modeled as two separate panels for panel data analysis. Fixed effect and random effect panel data methods are used for modeling. The results show that technology investments made in enterprises in G7 countries in the future have a positive effect on both female and male unemployment. However, the positive impact of technological change on female unemployment is higher. In order for the female labor force to benefit from this positive effect at the highest level, it is emphasized that countries should increase investments that will accelerate women's adaptation to the use of technology.